As the arts continue to grow in the Imperial County, so has the stage for budding artists to shine. From art shows at local schools to murals that decorate city walls, the arts are definitely on the rise. In addition to showcasing their drawings and paintings, young artists now also have to opportunity to share their talents in acting and filmmaking. For the second year in a row, the Imperial County Office of Education organized a student film festival, which was open to local fifth- through 12th-graders.

Ten-year-old Chanakya Valmiki sat between two seasoned educators, his eyeglass lenses reflecting the blue glare of the interactive iPad screen in his hands. Pine Elementary third-grade teacher Mary Davis sat to his right and Imperial High Spanish teacher Maria Melgarejo sat to his left, looking on and learning as the smallish, well-spoken Sunflower Elementary student discussed the benefits of using the latest technology in the classroom with a level of familiarity and authority beyond his years.